a new life

You began a new life when you asked Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior.  It is as if you have been born again.  You have a new Father, a new family, new appetites, and a new way of looking at the world.

Here are some steps to take to help you grow and continue to grow in your new life.

PRAY TO GOD The first step is to communicate with God through prayer.  Prayer is simply talking and listening to God.  He loves to hear from you.  He wants you to talk with him as often as possible and at anytime.  He is always listening.

Some of the first followers of Jesus asked him how to pray.  Some of the things he taught about prayer are found in Luke 11:1-13.  Spend some of your time every morning praying before the rest of your day begins.  It will make a difference in your life.

READ THE BIBLE The second step that will help you grow is reading the Bible.  God communicates to you through the Bible.  It tells you about Jesus Christ, shows you how God wants you to live, and can help you make decisions about life.  The Bible is like food; it provides nourishment for your spirit.

The Bible is actually 66 separate books collected into a single volume.  These books are grouped into two main parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament.  The Old Testament contains books that record what God did and said before Jesus came to earth.  The New Testament contains books that record the life and teachings of Jesus and the Apostles.

One of the best ways to read the Bible is to select one of the books in the Bible and read it through, from start to finish.  Read one or two chapters every day (Don’t worry, a chapter in the Bible is usually about one page in length).  If you are reading the Bible for the first time, a good book to start with is the Gospel of Mark.  Start reading it today.

GO TO CHURCH Going to church is the third step to help you grow.  The Church is your new family and support system for spiritual growth.  At church you will learn about God through the teaching of the Pastor and worship God through singing and prayer, and meet new friends.

There is strength in numbers.  You will be a stronger Christian and grow closer to God a lot faster if you share the experience with other Christians.

You are very special to God.  He loves you more than anyone has or can.  His desire is that you continue to grow closer to him and become more like his Son Jesus Christ.  By putting the above steps into practice, you will begin to experience life the way God always intended for you.  Living with Jesus Christ is the most exciting adventure in life and this is just the beginning.